‘Slender’ possibility that a missing surfer survived a shark attack in Western Australia

A surfer who remains missing after a shark attack in WA was in the water with several people at the time, but could not be brought to shore as police confirm that the chances of survival are “pretty slim.”

Police said the man was a local acquaintance but have not released his name or age.

NCA NewsWire understands that he is a father of two.

Authorities were alerted just before 11 a.m. Friday about the attack on the famous Kelp Beds in Wylie Bay, near Esperance, in southern Washington.

Sergeant Major Justin Tarasinski said up to eight surfers were in the water at the time of the attack.

“The surfboard came close to where the attack occurred and with obvious signs of a shark attack,” he told reporters.

“The chances of survival are obviously pretty slim considering some of the accounts that have been provided to us.”

The search, which involved jet skis and boats, was due to end at sunset and would resume this morning, with the addition of police divers.

Prime Minister Mark McGowan described it as a “very sad and potentially tragic” situation.

“One of the surfers tried to get him out of the water but couldn’t,” he told reporters.

Jess Gardiner said she was swimming less than 1 km away with her young daughter at the time of the attack.

“My partner had seen what he thought was a shark behind me, about 50 to 100 meters from me,” he told 9 News.

“He said it was a 2 to 3 m shark … he panicked.

“There were a few families and children across the bay.”

Shire of Esperance President Ian Mickel said the community was saddened by the tragedy.

“It is extremely sad to hear that there has been a shark attack again,” he said.

“We have had a lot of attacks in the last seven years.

“It is really disappointing.”

David Swan, a member of Esperance’s ocean safety and support committee, told NCA NewsWire that everyone was devastated.

“Our thoughts are with family and close friends,” he said.

“Everyone is a little shocked and very sad.”

Swan said he hoped McGowan would soon be willing to meet with the committee to mitigate shark attacks in the area.

“I invite and hope that the prime minister comes to see us and hears our concerns and our solutions,” he said.

“He showed great leadership through Covid-19 and I would like to see some leadership in this as well.”

McGowan said his government was doing everything it could to mitigate the risk of shark attacks in WA, including more affordable shark shields and helicopter patrols.

He also said the water off Esperance was a “breeding ground” for white sharks.

“There is always a risk when you go in the water,” he said.

Beaches have been closed from Wylie Head to Cape Le Grand National Park.

Kelp Beds is a popular surf spot and is where 17-year-old Laeticia Brouwer was fatally bitten on the leg while surfing with her father in April 2017.

Surfer Sean Pollard was also mutilated in Wylie Bay in 2014, losing his right hand and left arm, but survived the attack.

In January, experienced diver Gary Johnson was caught by a shark off Cull Island, near West Beach in Esperance.